How to Sew Quilt Binding

If you have a new quilt that needs binding or an older one that needs to have the binding replaced, here are some easy instructions for you to follow. It's easy to finish most of this quilting project with a machine, but you do need to do some hand sewing as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Quilt
• Quilt binding
• Scissors
• Pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Sewing machine

1. Cut the length of binding you need to go around the diameter of your quilting project. However, your quilting instructions may tell you to use purchased binding such as hem tape. It's your choice.

2. Leave a three-inch tail of binding. Begin in the middle of the quilt. Pin the binding to right side of the quilting project. Continue pinning to the first corner.

3. Stitch the binding with a 1/4" seam allowance or whatever your quilting pattern instructions call for. Sew to 1/4" of the first corner. Backstitch and remove the quilt from the sewing machine.

4. Miter the corner. Pull the binding straight up so it is parallel with the quilting project. Use your fingers to form a 45-degree angle where you took the backstitches. Bring the binding back down in alignment with the second side of the quilt. Pin this edge in place.

5. Begin stitching again 1/4" from the corner. Be careful not to catch the binding in the mitered corner. Continue to the next corner. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you get to the starting point.

6. Fold the three-inch tail of binding you left unstitched at the beginning together with the end of the binding. Join the two ends together. Stitch in place.

7. Turn the quilting project over. Pull the binding to the backside of the quilt. Pin in place. Keep the corners mitered as you work around them. Stitch the quilt binding in place by hand.